The King rode his horse to his battle tent and dismounted, it was becoming evening time, and the men were gathered for a meal before they started their night patrols. A team was out at the moment doing their shift, they would come in and trade-off with the men who were eating right now.
The King nodded at the Duke who was setting up the battle plans, "M'Lord, what have you found so far?"
"Your Grace." The man bowed before the king, "We have discovered that there are not as many as we first thought."
The king frowned, "Send troops here, and here." He pointed at the other two sides of the Palace that currently laid unprotected. "We have Beth's father sending his troops here, but I want a line of defense on all four sides. And I want extra lines around the Palace." The Duke nodded his head but didn't make any other movement.
The King slammed his fist down on the table, "NOW!"
The Duke left the tent and started to shout orders, "Alpha team, this side of the Palace. Archers, take the other side. Anyone who is a dragoon, you stay here and make sure your horse is fed, armored, and ready to ride!"
The King placed his hands on the table and leaned over the map, he looked over the drawing of the land that was between him and Edward. A messenger boy came running into camp and was brought to the king straight away.
"My Lord, the lad has a note from Edward."
"Bring it here boy." The King took a seat at the head of the table and held out his hand. He took the note from the young boy and then placed his hands on the boy's shoulders, "Are you hungry? You look tired as well, go get some food and rest a little while. You are a good boy." The King patted the boy on his shoulder.
The Boy smiled and bowed to the king, "Thank you, Your Grace."
The king opened the note, "I have agreed to the terms of marrying my daughter to the cousin of Lady Beth. But, I have some demands from you since it is not with her father that I have an issue with. And our debts have yet to be settled. It is in regards to the land that sits between our two kingdoms."
The King put the note down on the table and stared at the map, but his thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of men shouting. He drew his sword and ran from the tent. A small raiding party of Edwards men decided to come and invade the camp. They were not expecting to see the King running at them with a drawn sword. The clang of metal sent sparks flying as the men pushed each other back and sought better footing as they prepared to do battle with each other.
"I feel like I should bow, Your Grace, but I don't want to give you the opportunity to cut my head off." The man stated.
"I will allow you to do so once I run this sword through your gut." The King growled.
The men began to circle around and attempt to anticipate the other's movement. An arrow struck the ground at the soldier's feet and he looked down. That was a fatal mistake, the King had him in a flash, and the blade sunk to the hilt into the man's body. The King pushed the man back with his boot, sliding him off his sword.
"I told you, you would bow... Ahhh!" An arrow struck him in the shoulder. He picked up a shield from the ground and held it over his face and the majority of his body, but an arrow struck him on the leg, in his upper calf. He dropped to his knees.
The Duke made eye contact with him Just as another arrow struck him in the back. "Your Grace!" He rode quickly for the King and grabbed him by the arm, helping the King upon his horse, the two of them rode off the battlefield as fast as his horse would go. But the Duke felt the King's grip starting to loosen. "Stay with me, Your Grace!"
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ℌ𝔢𝔯 𝔊𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔢, 𝔐𝔶 𝔔𝔲𝔢𝔢𝔫 Book 2
Historical FictionThe King is faced with a tragedy one year after the birth of his daughter. After being in exile for ten years he comes back to his kingdom to secure his place as King and take another bride. His daughter needs a mother, and he still needs a male hei...
